Machine for treating leather and similar materials.



A. BATES.

MACHINE FOR TREATING LEATHER AND SIMILAR MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7. 1910.

1,170,504. Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

THE COLUMBIA PLANCGRAVH 420.. WASHINGTON. a. c

A. BATES.

MACHINE FOR TREATING LEATHER AND SIMILAR MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7.. 1910.

1,170,504i I Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cm, WASHINGTON, D. c.

A. BATES.

MACHINE FOR TREATING LEATHER AND SIMILAR MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 711910.

Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

4 III sin e run men ARTHUR BATES, F LEICESTER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR TREATING LEATHER AND SIMILAR MATERIALS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, I916.

Application filed July 7, 1910. Serial No. 570,769.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTH R BATES, a subject of the King of England, residing at Leicester, Leicestershire, England, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Treating Leather and Similar Materials, of which the followingdescription, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to shoe machinery, andis of particular utility when embodied "in a machine for bevfeling pieces of leather for use in forming soles, although I contemplate the utilization of my improvetherefor which may be run substantially continuously, wlthmeans to connect the actuating mechanism with the operating device actuatively at times, the means to accomplish this connection belng preferably set in train by insertion of the material for --the beveling operation, and for this purpose I prefer to construct and arrange this meansto act as a workgage, hmiting its range of movement prior to the beveling operation so that it will serve as a firm rest forthe workpiece during the operation,

and providing for its adjustment to present the workpiece in sucha position that the minimum of waste material will be cut off.

Another object of importance is the prQ- vision of means to clearthis gageautomatically from the path of the material removed from the workpiece, so thatthe material cut away can be discharged freely,

this release being timed so that. the workpiece will beproperly supported, preferably by the knife, when: the work gage has been cleared away, so that the beveled part will be clean-cut throughout; also means to re setjtheworkgage automatically in predeter- 11111166. position prior to each beveling operation. I

A further object is to provide a front shear member for cooperation with the knife, so constructed and. arranged that it may be adjusted with nicety to present its edge in proper alinement with the plane of operation of the knife, and for purposes of this and other adjustments I prefer to mount the front shearin a support rotatableabout the cutting edge as an axis, in order to permit variation in the angle of bevel by presenting the material to be treated in desired angular relation to the plane of operation of the knife.

Still another object of notable importance is to insure actuative engagement of the actuating mechanism with the operating device at a suitable, predetermined point in the cycle of movement of the actuating mechanism, and, in order to provide compact means to thisend I have devised a two part member with an energy storage device interposed between the parts, one of these parts serving as the gage heretofore mentioned and transmitting the energy received by it, from the insertion of the sole, or other workpiece, to the energy storage device, by which it is eventually transmitted to the other part and utilized to efiect relative movement of the operating device and actuating mechanism into actuative relation, eventuating, at the proper phase of the cycle, in actuative engagement. The energy storage device mayalso serve conveniently as the means for resetting the gage automatically.

Among other objects of my invention is the provision of a latch or retainer acting positively to control the shipper part of the two-part member, and means actingat regular intervals to trip the latch and releasethe shipper part, which can only effect the connection of the actuating mechanism with theoperating device during such periods of release, and only then at such times as the shipperis subjected to the influence of energystored by the gage in the energy-storage device upon emplace ment of the work-piece for the beveling operation; and the "safeguarding of the hands of the operator from mutilation ,by the knife constitutes a noteworthy object of my invention.

The various features of my invention will be illustrated and described fully in the accompanying drawings and specification and pointed out in the claims. c

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a front view of a machine in the construction of tion of the arrow, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view on the line a .23 Fig. 1, looking from left to right; i

and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2, showing in another position the parts particularly concerned with the present invention.

In the embodiment of my invention selected for illustration and description to enable ready and complete understanding of my improvements, the part designated by the reference numeral 1 is the operating device, which may be of any suitable character, and in the instance illustrated herein, is shown as a kniie, preferably constructed and arranged; to cooperate with a fixed shear member 2, to bevel, or perform asimilar operation upon, a sole'or like. workpiece 3. For this purpose the knife 1 is shown as secured adjustably, by a screw 1, upon a sliding carrier 5 mounted in ways (5' supported by the sidepieces 7 frame, which supports also a member 8, ro-

tatable about a transverse axislying in the plane of operative movement of the knife 1, v

and carrying the front shear 2,. being pref.- erably constructed and arranged to permit adjustment of the shear 2 to bring its edge 2*. into exact registry with the axis of rotation, so that whatever may be the angular position to'which the shear 2 is brought by rotation of the member 8 to, determine the position in which the workpiece- 3 shall be presented to the knife to secure the dcsiredy angle of bevel, the edge 2* of. the front shear will always be presented properly adjacent toithe plane of operative movement of the.

knife 1. Suitable means may be provided, such asthe bolts 9 to hold the shear 2 in adjusted position with its edge directly upon the axis of the member 8 and in ,alinement with the cutting edge of knife, and a clamp lO to hold the member 8 in adjusted rota- As one convenient form of means to .ac-

tuate the cutter 1, I have shown a shaft 12,

provided with a fastpulley 13, acting also as a fly-wheel, and a loose pulley 14:, the

rotary motion of the shaft being transmitted to the cutter by means 15 suitable to; reciprocate the latter, and taking. the form of an eccentric, in the instance illustrated, having a floating end 16 adapted to be engaged at times with. a knife-carrier 5,

as by a forked portionlf upon the floating end presented in position to receive the suitably formed part 18 of the,carrier, j when the floating end reciprocates 1n alinement therewith. The part 18 may be formed i se t arately and secured to the part 5 by suitable means, as by the screw 18 shown inFig. 2. The actuative'position of these parts best shown in Fig, 3, wherein the of a suitable knife 1 has just completed its cutting stroke,

under the thru'stof the forkedfloati'ng end 17 of the eccentric, and upon further rotation of the shaft the eccentric will be with drawn, and the operating parts will assume the relative position shown in Fig, 2, under the action of the several instrumentalities I will now describe, the position of Fig. 2 being thenormal, inoperative position of the form tobe moved by it to release the actu;

ating mechanism for the knife 1, the device comprising, in the preferredembodiment of my invention, a twopart member including a lever 21, rotatably mounted upon acrossrod 23 of the frame,-and acooperating lever 24 mounted also upon the rod 23, with means interposed between the levers and tending normally to hold them inthe position shown in Fig.2, with the portion 20of the device presented below, and to act as a rest tub or 'a 'e-for, the workpiece3,'which maybe fed vertically from above.

The positioning means 25 may be of any suitable sort, and as one convenient form of such means I have shown (see Fig. 2) a coil spring 25 held under compression withm a hollow plunger 26,0I1t811ng a socket 27,

against the base of which the spring is seated, whilethe free end of the plunger26 is engaged with a knuckle 28 of as lever 21,

tendingto rotate the levers 21 and2-l in opposite directions upon the rod 23, such rotation being preferably limitedadjustably by suitable means, such as the set-serew 29 carried at 30'bythejknuckle 28 of the lever 21, and bearing against a short arm 31 of the lever 24. This screw serves as a convenient form of means to regulate the position of the gage20 relatively to the plane of operation ofthe knife, and-therefore the amount of material cut from the sole, and it will be seen upon referenceto Figs. 2 and 3 thatwhen the gage has been located prop erly, the workpiece 3 will be held with its frontlower corner closely adjacent to the cutting axis2 and'theknife-l will therefore pass through that corner .of the workpiece, wasting aminimum ofjmaterial, as

shown at 3 in Fig. 3 1

.The long lever arm 24 is extended, pref erably, asat 32, rearward and upward nto position to be engaged with, and to control theoperation of, the floating end 16 of the eccentric, an anti friction, roller 33 being met,

erably interposed therebetween, and when permitted so: to do,'the effect of the spring 25 is to hold the lever. arm 32 and the float ing end. 16 upward, as in Fig. 3, the

forked part 17 ready to engage the part 18 when the floating end 16 of the eccentric moves forward. Suitable means may be provided to hold the floating end 16 toward the arm 32, as, for example, the spring 39, (see Fig 2). Normally, however, I prefer that the arm 32 shall be held positively down ward, in the position shown in Fig. 2, permitting the spring 39 to hold the floating end 16 of the eccentric out of the plane of the carrier 5, so that the eccentric normally reciprocates freely below the carrier, the roller 33 running back and forth upon the arm 32 as a track. Any suitable means may be provided to hold the arm thus, and I have shown as one convenient device for this purpose a latch 10 (best seen in Fig. mounted upon a bearing stud 41 supported loosely by the frame, the latch being shown as connected with the stud by a sleeve 4:2 and set screw as, and to actuate the latch suitable means may be provided, for which purpose have shown a trip lever it formed with the.

latch i0 and projecting into the path of the roller 33, the latch having also a part as to be engaged with a hook on the lever 32, holding the same normally as shown in Fig. 2. A lip er may be provided to serve as one suitable form of means to direct the hook 4E6 into proper engagement with the holding part 45.

The latch 40 is preferably drawn norunless and until the spring 25 is placed under compression by rotation of the arm 21 under the action of the workpiece 3 upon the rest 20. 4

In operating "my improved machine, the sole is thrust down against the rest or gage 20 with a steady pressure sufficient to rotate the lever 21 upon the rod 23, a slight movement from the position shown in Fig. 2 serving to bring the lower edge of the workpiece level with the cutting edge 2*, and to compress the spring 25,'storing energy therein until the floating end 16 of the eccentric 15 is moved forward by rotation of the shaft 12, and the roller 33 trips the lever 44. and

latch l-5,releasing the hooked end 16 of the lever 32 and permitting the latter to be tit thrust forward by the eccentric, and cuts off a minimum wastepiece of sole such as that shown at 3 in Fig. 3, and in order to give clearance for this severed bit, the member 20 may be, and preferably will be, moved fartherdownward in accordance with an important feature of my invention, by suitable means, as by the engagement of an abutment 202 on the lever 21 with a roll upon the carrier 5, the latter serving to turn the lever 21 upon its bearing rod into the position shown in Fig. 3, leaving ample clearance for discharge of the bit 3*. The operation of these parts is preferably timed so that the workpiece 3 will be supported by the gage 20 until the knife 1 has advanced sufliciently through the material to insure the proper support thereof by the knife during the remainder of the cutting stroke, and thus the bevel will be clear-cut throughout. This completes the operation, the beveled sole 3 may be withdrawn, and when the eccentric 15 is withdrawn by the continued rotation of the shaft 12, the fork 17 will retire from the carrier part 18, thespring 39 will pull down the floating end 16 and lever arm 32 (see Fig. 2) and the spring 17 will fasten the latch 4:5 upon the hook 46 and hold the lever arm 2 1 down each time the eccentric end 16 moves forward until the fork 17 is past its point of possible engagement with the part 18 of the knife-carrier, except at such times as the compression of the spring by the lever 21, under the action of the sole 3, applies its stored energy to turn the lever and raise the lever 32 and floating end 16 into the position of Fig. 3. The retraction of the carrier 5 to the position shown in Fig. 2, ready for another operation, may be accomplished by any suitable means, as by a spring 56 (see Fig. 1), and suitable means, such as the thrust bolts 57, may be provided to hold the knife 1 up to its work in adjusted position. The rearward movement of the carrier may also be limited suitably, as by a screw 58, (see Fig. 1).

In order to avoid mutilation of the fingers of operatives, I prefer to provide a suitable guard, such as that shown at 50 in Fig. 2, having a lip 51 brought down in approximately vertical position near the front end of the knife, and forming with the front shear 2 an upright work-passage just wide enough to permit easy introduction of the workpiece 1 Having illustrated and described my invention thus fully, and suitable means by which the same may be 'arried into effect, I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the specific materials and form of construction selected for description herein, nor do I limit myself in general otherwise than as set forth in the claims read in connection with this specification.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is p 1. A machine for beveling material for the soles of shoes; comprising a knife; actuating mechanism therefor, having a given cycle of operation; and means operable by the workto cause the actuation of said knife by said mechanism at a predetermined point in said cycle.

2. A machine for beveling material for the soles of shoes; comprising a reciprocating operating device actuating mechanism therefor and normally unconnected therewith; and a workgage in each instance displaceable by the work to connect said device and mechanism operatively, said work-gage in each instance including a yielding connective member.

3. A machine of the class described; comprising an operating device; actuating mechanism therefor; a controlling devlce operable by the work to control the actuation of said operating device by said actuating mechanism; and means to clear said conjtrolling device automatically from the path of said work.

4i. A machine of the class described; comprising an operating device; actuating mechanism therefor; a member displaceable yieldingly by the work to start the actuation of said device by said mechanism; means to retard said displacement so-as to constitute said member a work-gage; and means acting subsequently to move said member clear of the work.

A machine of the class described; comprising a knife: actuating mechanism there for; agage to be engaged with the work'to position the same for treatment by said iknife, and movable by said work to initiate the operation of said knife by said actuating mechanism; means to clear said gage from the path of the material cut from said work; and means to reset said gage automatically after the cutting operation.

6. A machine of the class described; comprising an operating device to remove material from a workpiece; a yielding workgage connected with, and to control the op e 'ation of, said operating device; and means to move said workgage from engagement with the work to permit the material cut therefrom to fall out of place.

7. A machine of the class described; comprising an operating device; a member to resist lateral displacement of the workpiece under the action of said operating device; a workgage to position said workpiece for operation at the desired region; and means to clear said work'gage from the path of said workpiece when the latter is supported by said operating device, said clearance being initiated substantially in the direction of movement of said workpiece.

Y 8. A machine of the class described; comprising a shear; aknife operable cooperatively therewith, being movable past thecut-v ting edge thereof at an angle thereto; a

workgage to present the workpiece for the beveling action of said knife; andrm eans to withdraw said workgage for clearance of the waste from said workpiece, said means being constructed and arranged to act when said knife shall have advanced partly into the work into position to support said workpiece for the remainder of said beveling a stroke. a v

9. A machme of the class described; com prlsmg a kmfe and its carrler; anoscillating work-engaging member; and'means to sup-i port said work engaging member in position to present the workpiece to be operated upon by said knife; said work engaging member being constructed andarranged to be engaged bysaid carrier attimes, and rotated thereby to clear said work engaging member from the path of the waste cut from said workpiece bysaid knife, saidclearance being initiated substantially in the direction of movement of said workpiece.

10. A machine of theclass described; comprising an operating device; actuating mech-:

anism therefor; and a controlling device including a two-part member constructed and arranged to be engaged, one part with the work and having means to store energy when so engaged and moved, the other part of said member being connected with said actuating mechanism and arranged toinitiate the actuationof said operatingdevice thereby when the energy stored in said mem her is released. 7

11. Amaehine of the class described; comprising an operating device; actuating mechanism therefor; a controlling device including a two-part member constructed and arranged to be engaged, one part with the work and, having means to store energy when so engaged and moved, the other part of said member being connected wlth said actuating mechanism and arranged to'initiate the actuation 'of said operating device member, one part of which is adapted to serve as a shipper and be engaged with said reciprocable member to 'impartsaid transverse connective movement, thereto; said other part being adapted to be engaged with a the work for movement thereby; means intermediate said parts to store the energy shaft; an actuating eccentric thereon havmg a floatlng actuating portion movable transversely into the operating path of said device at times, for actuative reciprocatory engagement thereW1th;a shipper lever to .inove said floating portion transversely; a

latch to prevent said transverse movement; and a lever to be engaged with said reciprocating parts to trip said latch periodically; and a gage lever having a part to be engaged With the Work, When the latter is presented for treatment by said knife, and connected With said shipper lever by a compression spring; said gage lever being constructed and arranged to be moved primarily by said Work to store energy in said spring and secondarily by one of said reciprocable parts to clear said Work; the energy stored in said spring acting prior to subsequent actuative reciprocation of said floating end to shift said floating end transversely into actuating position.

14. A machine of the class described; comprising a shear; a cutting device reciprocable relatively thereto; a support for said operating parts, said support including a member carrying said shear and rotatable into different angular positions relatively to said cutting device; and a yielding Work gage operable in the respective angular positions of said shear.

15. Amachine of the class described; comprising a shear; a cutting device reciprocable relatively thereto; a support for said operatingparts, said support including a member carrying said shear and rotatable into difl'erent angular positions relatively to said cutting device,'the axis of said member lying adjacent to the plane of operation of said cutting device; andvmeans to adjust said shear to said axis; and a yielding Work gage operable in the respective angular positions of said shear.

16. Amachine of the class described; comprising a shear; a cutting device reciprocable relatively thereto in a plane at an angle to the vertical; and a support for said op erating parts; said support including a member carrying said shear and rotatable into difierent angular positions relatively to said cutting device, the axis of said member being horizontal and lying adjacent to the plane of operation of said cutting device;

' and means to adjust said shear to said axis, and to secure said member and shear 1n adjusted position, respectively; said parts serving to permit the introduction of a workpiece from above said cutter, and operation upon said workpiece in upright position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ARTHUR BATES.

Witnesses ARTHUR ERNEST J ERRAM, WILLIAM Tnoms BUGKINGHAM Rornars.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

a V V ,7 V V V Ln fi .i.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent N 0. 1,170,504, granted February 8,

1916, upon the application of Arthur Bates, of Leicester, England, for an improvement in Machines for Treating Leather and Similar Materials, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 4, lines 14 and 1617, claim 2, strike out the Words in each instance and insert the Words and trip; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 2d day of May, A. 1)., 1916.

isms R. F. WHITEHEAD,

I Acting Commissioner of Patent v, or. 1217.

Correction in Letters Patent No. 1,170,504. 

